Mindfulness Philosophy & Praxis (MP2)

Interest in mindfulness and meditation can arise from all kinds of other interests and needs. For some, mindfulness is encountered after being directed to it by a doctor or therapist. For others, it emerges from an interest in Buddhism or yoga or the martial arts. But many people are simply curious to discover what all the fuss is about. MentalPraxis has developed a unique course that engages with mindfulness from the standpoint of seekers trying to make sense of what mindfulness means (either to themselves or to others) and who are keen to experience that meaning for themselves through practice.

Beginning with its first versions in Leiden and The Hague (The Netherlands) in 2013, Mindfulness Philosophy & Praxis (MP2) was the first course of its kind to combine scholarly, philosophical investigations into the concept of mindfulness and practical engagements with the techniques of mindfulness. The first versions of the course were taught in collaboration with the Hortus Botanicus gardens in Leiden. MP2 has always run as a not-for-profit and not-for-credit programme for the general public; unlike our Honours Course, MP2 is not a university course.

In order to support learning, Chris Goto-Jones commissioned a series of images from Roxanne van Beek, illustrating various concepts, thoughts, emotions, and mental events associated with mindfulness.